The interrogation room was cold and suffocating. I sat in the metal chair, my wrists resting on the table, refusing to look at the officers hovering over me.
“Miss Blair,” one of them said. “If you cooperate, this will go much faster. Why don’t you tell us what you were doing near Alexus Winfield’s room?”
I didn’t answer, keeping my eyes fixed on the table.
“Miss Blair,” another officer pressed, his patience wearing thin, “if you want this to end, tell us the truth.”
I finally lifted my head and stared at him. “I want a lawyer,” I said firmly.
One of them sighed, clearly irritated. “We’ll get to that. But first, you need to answer our questions.”
I leaned back, crossing my arms. “If you let me make one call—to my mother—you’ll have your answers. But you won’t let me, will you?”
The officers exchanged glances but said nothing.
“I demand to call her,” I continued, my voice rising slightly. “If you let me, you’ll know exactly who I am and the truth about all of this.”
“Enough,” one officer snapped, slamming his hand on the table. “You’re not calling anyone until we’re done here.”
The door opened, and Elise walked in with Xander trailing behind her. Elise’s eyes immediately landed on the jewelry I was still wearing.
“Take it off,” she said, her voice icy.
I frowned. “What?”
“The necklace,” Elise repeated, pointing at it. “And the rest of the jewelry. You’re a thief, Blair. You don’t deserve to wear them.”
I clenched my jaw. “This is mine.”
Elise let out a laugh. “Yours? Don’t make me laugh. I’ll keep them until the real Lady Gallo appears. Let’s see how long you can keep up this ridiculous charade.”
“Elise,” Xander said hesitantly, but she silenced him with a glare.
She turned back to me. “Just because your last name is Gallo doesn’t mean you’re related to the family. I’ve known you since college, Blair. The Gallo family doesn’t even have a child. Stop pretending.”
I stayed silent, biting back the urge to respond. Of course, they weren't aware of my identity because my parents had never talked about me. I wanted it that way, to also protect myself, but seeing this is happening now, it seems like I really need to let the world who really am I.
Elise turned to Xander. “We need to get the jewelry and you can return it to Lady Gallo. Maybe she would reconsider the partnership.”
“That’s a great idea,” Xander replied.
I scoffed. “Your father is dead and all you can think about is money?” I shook my head. “It makes me think you actually wanted him dead.”
“Shut up, Blair,” Elise replied. Now I’m really seeing her true colors and that makes me despise her, especially Xander. He should have been the one who died!
Elise stepped closer to me, her eyes narrowing. “Take it off,” she demanded, pointing at the necklace around my neck. “You have no right to wear that.”
I raised an eyebrow, meeting her glare. “I’m not giving you anything. It’s mine.”
“Yours?” Elise let out a mocking laugh. “Stop lying. You stole it. Hand it over now, or I’ll take it off you myself.”
She grabbed at the necklace, her fingers brushing the gold chain. I stepped back, swatting her hand away.
“Don’t touch me,” I snapped.
“You don’t deserve it!” Elise hissed, lunging again.
We struggled, her nails clawing at my neck as I tried to push her away. The commotion grew louder, drawing the attention of the police and Xander.
“Enough!” a commanding voice rang out, silencing the room.
Everyone turned toward the door, where a tall, elegant woman stood. My mother.
